Abstract

Although the paper of Armand Vallin Feingenbaum was the first study about Total Quality Management (TQM) in 1957, there were some quality management applications that were more comprehensive than modern TQM at 1300’s years in Anatolia which is known as Akhi orders. Akhi Orders were established by Anatolian Turks between 13th and 20th centuries. It was implemented in manufacturing, trade and social life and going beyond TQM as having strict rules on professional ethics. At the same time these Akhi orders had precautions about tranquility of the society and directed people to ethical behavior. Although TQM is called “a thought revolution in management” by Ishikawa, it can be argued that this revolution had emerged first back in 13th Century in Anatolia. Yet, in Akhi orders there are several principles that are not encompassed by TQM. The aim of this study is to claim that quality management were used and developed by Anatolian Turks for the first time in the World through scientific methods; to put forward the principles of Turkish Quality Management System(TrQMS), and consequently to contribute to recognition of TrQMS as well as to development of recent quality management systems.